Brake judder issue...

Hon_bris · Post by **Hon_bris** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 3:53 pm

Dear All,

I'm sure this is not (I hope) a problem directly related to Alpina's but there seems to be a lot of good knowledge on this forum so hopefully someone can help me here.

I've just come back from a 2 week holiday where my D3 was sat where it usually lives just outside my house on the street. When I left it, it was perfect, no issues whatsoever.

I jump in my car today and there is some serious brake judder issue. Initially it was at all speeds, now it seems its only at about 40mph+. The brake power also seems reduced by at least 25% and there is very distinct judder through the brake pedal. No judder through the steering wheel. I ran my finger down the brake disc and there seems to be some grooves - but surely this can't have happened over night without me even driving it?!

I'm slightly bemused by this but the only thing I can put it down to is the weather wreaking havoc somehow?! I don't drive the car hard at all and to be honest its had a rather blessed life so far.

Soo....any ideas or is it going to BMW Sytner for Â£150/hour advice?

Thanks and much appreciated in advance.
Hon

jacoda434 · Post by **jacoda434** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 5:40 pm

Hi and welcome to the Alpina nut house I am sure you will fit in

Hope you had a nice holiday

Any way It may be just the fact that you have not driven the car for a few weeks and the resulting build up on the surface off the disc is the fault

Donâ€™t think it will be a huge issue given what you have said

Some of the more technical will be able to give your better advice

welcome to Alpina

sward · Post by **sward** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 8:36 pm

It is highly likely that surface corrosion has built up on your discs while you were on holiday. Nothing to worry about. Just brake hard a few times from reasonable speed on an empty road, and your pads will clean the discs quite quickly.

Now that you know this can happen, just take a look at your brake discs if you don't drive the car for a few days and it has been wet, you'll see rust can build up. And yes, it can even happen overnight!

Hope this helps.

And welcome to the site!

Simon

IAM Joe · Post by **IAM Joe** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 8:56 pm

Especially with all the grit/salt on the roads too. Not a good combination for discs and pads. Worse if the car is parked on the road getting splashed by passing traffic. Oh, and welcome

D3orbust · Post by **D3orbust** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 8:56 pm

If the hard braking doesn't work I'd be tempted to take it into a garage that is offering a 'free brake check', though be prepared for the hard sell from these guys.

Mr-P · Post by **Mr-P** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 10:27 pm

Welcome to the forum, just get out and drive it and brakes will get back to normal.

Hon_bris · Post by **Hon_bris** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 11:51 pm

IAM Joe wrote:Especially with all the grit/salt on the roads too. Not a good combination for discs and pads. Worse if the car is parked on the road getting splashed by passing traffic. Oh, and welcome

This is exactly what I was hoping it was. The harsh weather and the fact it is road side meant it has collected a lot of debris. Think I'm just over reacting as I haven't had the car for long and its a far cry from my old French hatch!

And thank you all for the warm welcome - I hope this is going to be the start of a long and fun Alpina journey for me.

Alpina Jim · Post by **Alpina Jim** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 11:25 am

Just an idea but the only time I have had brake judder on my B10 is when a front brake caliper was sticking and this only happened when the car had been parked up after getting wet which might be the case with your D3.
On one occasion it did it when I set off for an mot and it cleared after a while and was 100% ok by the time I reached the mot station.

Does anyone know if the D3 model is prone to sticking calipers?

ade and liz flint · Post by **ade and liz flint** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 11:12 pm

Alpina Jim wrote:Does anyone know if the D3 model is prone to sticking calipers?

The D3BT caliper setup is very reliable, and unlikely to be at fault. Joe's probably right on this one

as a bit of material build-up/transfer has probably occured to the brake/pad interface whilst stood outside unused in crappy conditions. Nothing to worry about, I'd expect.

IAM Joe · Post by **IAM Joe** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 11:52 pm

ade and liz flint wrote:
Alpina Jim wrote:Does anyone know if the D3 model is prone to sticking calipers?
The D3BT caliper setup is very reliable, and unlikely to be at fault. Joe's probably right on this one as a bit of material build-up/transfer has probably occured to the brake/pad interface whilst stood outside unused in crappy conditions. Nothing to worry about, I'd expect.

I'm not aware of common issues with the calipers on the MT either but don't discount it could happen, especially if it's been stood a while and had crap blasted at it.

ade and liz flint · Post by **ade and liz flint** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 11:59 pm

IAM Joe wrote:
ade and liz flint wrote:
Alpina Jim wrote:Does anyone know if the D3 model is prone to sticking calipers?
The D3BT caliper setup is very reliable, and unlikely to be at fault. Joe's probably right on this one as a bit of material build-up/transfer has probably occured to the brake/pad interface whilst stood outside unused in crappy conditions. Nothing to worry about, I'd expect.
I'm not aware of common issues with the calipers on the MT either but don't discount it could happen, especially if it's been stood a while and had crap blasted at it.

In reality, the RS, D3 and D3BT all work on similar disc, pad and caliper setups, just of different sizes. I never had an issue with my E46 (exactly the same as the D3) or the RS or BT: they work very well and are generally trouble free as they are a very simple, effective system. I've seen far, far worse

ollieebmw · Post by **ollieebmw** » Sun Feb 03, 2013 12:46 pm

Greetings and welcome to the dark side

I agree with the build up on the disk can cause the brake pedal to feel different (judder) but I tend to do some hard braking and it sorts itself out. Only happens when I have been on holiday and the weather here has been bad. Have noticed it as well when i wash the car and then don't drive it for a week or so.....gives me an excuse for some spirited driving and braking ha ha

Hon_bris · Post by **Hon_bris** » Mon Feb 04, 2013 12:23 am

I've driven it for about 15 miles since my original post and its still pretty evident. In fact my missus was in the car today and she actually mentioned was the car "vibrating" under braking. I was astounded she could actually feel it as I thought it was largely through the peddle! Very worried now - will be taking a trip to the local specialist I think just to put my mind at rest.

ade and liz flint · Post by **ade and liz flint** » Mon Feb 04, 2013 12:28 am

It's probable your pads are therefore sticky in the calipers and they aren't releasing fully after braking. This causes the discs to heat up and the highspot gets overheated and causes the pulsation you feel. Get the pads stripped out, clean them and the sliding pins and rebuild...don't just let them stick new discs on as they are unlikely to be the cause.

Andyporter · Post by **Andyporter** » Fri Feb 15, 2013 7:05 pm

Hon_bris wrote:I've driven it for about 15 miles since my original post and its still pretty evident. In fact my missus was in the car today and she actually mentioned was the car "vibrating" under braking. I was astounded she could actually feel it as I thought it was largely through the peddle! Very worried now - will be taking a trip to the local specialist I think just to put my mind at rest.

As mentioned I would give the breaks some good, sustained work from speed, get them hot, and see if it still does it...